The Stuttgart Ricebirds are state champions for the seventh time in school history after defeating Ozark 28-7 Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Birds got off to a rocky start after a touchdown run by senior Dre’lon Ice on the second play from scrimmage was called back on a holding penalty. Just a few short plays later, senior quarterback Dontrell Brown’s fumble on the 41 yard line gave Ozark the ball.

The Ricebird defense held strong, however, forcing the Hillbillies to turn the ball over on downs after just five plays.

Stuttgart regrouped and needed just a handful of plays to record its first score of the night — a three-yard rushing touchdown from Brown with 8:17 to play in the first quarter. The PAT by Marco Lara was no good, and the Birds led 6-0.

Ozark’s second possession began at its own 28 yard line. On 1st and 10, senior Waymon Johnson quickly stopped the Hillbilly rush and a sack by senior Carlin Warren halted the 2nd and 7 play. A pass interference call on the Birds gave Ozark a fresh set of downs on the Ozark 38, but the Ricebird defense held strong, holding the Hillbillies to just eight yards in four plays.

Stuttgart’s third possession of the game saw the Birds drive 45 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a 13-yard pass from Brown to senior Waymon Johnson. Officials ruled that Johnson fumbled the ball on the two yard line into the end zone, resulting in a touchback and another Ozark possession.

The Hillbillies got one play off before the horn signaled the end of the first quarter, but Ozark wouldn’t have much luck kicking off the second period of play. The Birds forced a punt on fourth down, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Ozark another chance. Three straight incomplete passes had Ozark punting once again.

Stuttgart would take advantage on its next possession, adding its second score of the night.

Beginning at the Stuttgart 37 yard line, the Bird carried the ball down to the 42. Brown found senior Hunter Harris at the 49 yard line, before junior Tyler Luster and Ice had the Birds at the Ozark 34. After Brown was stopped at the line of scrimmage on first down, the senior quarterback found Harris open for 17 yards to the 23. A 12-yard run from Brown set up his second touchdown run of the night, an 11 yard scamper with 4:50 remaining in the first half.

Brown found a wide-open Harris in the end zone for the two-point conversion and Stuttgart held a 14-0 lead.

Both teams traded possession before Stuttgart took the two-score lead into the locker room.

Ozark came out ready to play in the second half, driving 43 yards for its first points of the night. A questionable horse collar penalty against the Birds helped move the Hillbillies along, before a 14-yard rushing touchdown cut the Ricebird lead to 14-7 with 8:37 left in the third quarter.

Page 2 of 2 - A Ricebird punt was followed by another Ozark punt before Stuttgart was able to find the scoreboard again.

The Ricebirds marched 32 yards to take a 21-7 lead on a one-yard rushing touchdown from Brown with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Stuttgart defense stifled the Hillbillies once again, forcing Ozark to the ball over on downs.

Stuttgart would put its final score of the night on the board during its next possession.

Starting at the 31 yard line, six straight rushing plays from Brown and Ice had the Birds at the Ozark 38. Brown threw an incomplete pass before rushing 33 yards to set up the Ricebird score. Brown carried the ball to the three on 1st and 10, before being stuffed behind the line on second down.

On third and goal, Brown’s pass to Ice in the end zone fell incomplete. Facing 4th and goal from the five yard line, Ice took a pitch from Brown into the end zone with 5:49 left in the game. Jackson Kennedy’s point after attempt was good, and Stuttgart led 28-7.

Despite a valiant effort by the Hillbilllies, the Stuttgart defense was able to contain the Ozark drive. Senior Jon Curtis all but sealed the win for the Ricebirds after intercepting a Hillbilly pass on fourth and 18.

The Ricebirds ran just a handful of plays, before taking the victory formation. Brown kneeled on the ball just once and the Ricebirds brought home the school’s first state championship in 10 years.

For his efforts, Brown was named the game’s MVP, while senior Taylor Daniels earned the Brandon Burlsworth award.